While Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper are drawing all the attention, there are some serious future stars in the 2025 NBA Draft class.
With the 2025 NBA Draft class just two weeks away, fans are eagerly waiting to see which rookies get the big call-up.
While Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper are the two names teams are looking out for, this year’s class is quite deep.
Some teams, like the Philadelphia 76ers, could trade their pick ahead of the draft. Teams are willing to move up or down in this year’s draft, and it just goes to show how stacked this group of players is.
NBA Analysis released their first mock 2025 NBA Draft recently, and several of the key names in this draft ended up in the lottery. But what about some of the lesser-known players in this year’s class?
In a class rife with talent, here are some players that could be looked at as steals for years to come:
- University/Previous Team: BYU
- Height (without shoes): 6’9
- Stats: 10.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 41.2% FG, 27.3% 3-PT
- Expected Draft Range: 11-19
Egor Demin’s stats at BYU don’t jump off the screen. But at 6’9 and with time to grow even further, he could be a real stand-out in the NBA.
Over the last few years, Luka Doncic, Tyrese Haliburton, and LaMelo Ball have shown what a luxury it is to have a tall player who can run the point.
Not only is he a strong passer, but his height allows him to develop as a rebounder, allowing him to be rapid in starting an offensive move right from his own end.
Add to that the defensive potential his size provides, Demin could end up becoming one of the best two-way guards in the NBA.
Demin’s shooting can certainly use some work. And if whichever team that drafts Demin can help him develop his game the right way, he can make those improvements in due course.
- University/Previous Team: Michigan Wolverines
- Height (without shoes): 6’10
- Stats: 13.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 49.7% FG, 33.6% 3-PT
- Projected Draft Range: 15-21
Danny Wolf was among the top 15 rebounders in the country last season. Along with that, he was a decent scoring outlet in the post, as he nearly averaged a double-double.
With two of the most important traits in a modern NBA big, Wolf could become a real paint presence in the NBA with the right training.
What is even more encouraging is his three-point percentage. As a big man, he is shooting over 33% from deep. If the right coaching staff can help improve his accuracy from deep, he can be even more dangerous.
Wolf doesn’t stand out among the bigger players in the draft, especially since Cooper Flagg has set the bar quite high. But he is a player who can definitely develop into a strong NBA player.
- University/Previous Team: Colorado State
- Height (without shoes): 6’5
- Stats: 18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 49.6% FG, 37.7% 3-PT
- Projected Draft Range: 14-25
Nique Clifford’s statistics are excellent, as he has proven himself to be an effective scorer, rebounder, and efficient shooter.
The reason he’s expected to go as low as projected is because of his age. Clifford is 23 years old and spent three years at the University of Colorado before transferring to Colorado State for his senior year.
But at 23 years old, he is still young enough to develop quickly. We’ve seen some draft picks in the past who played all four years at college and still found success in the NBA.
Obi Toppin was drafted 8th overall in 2020 and is currently playing in the NBA Finals. And while Dalton Knecht’s latter-season struggles are well-documented, he still proved to be a valuable get for the Lakers.
Clifford could be a great pick-up for any team, as he is NBA-ready after four successful years in college. And for his projections, he could provide great value in the years to come.
- University/Previous Team: Real Madrid
- Height (without shoes): 6’6
- Stats: 5.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 44.4% FG, 27.1% 3-PT
- Projected Draft Range: 24-29
Hugo Gonzales’ big advantage coming into the NBA is that he spent years playing for Real Madrid in the EuroLeague.
Just look at a player like Luka Doncic, who took the same journey to the NBA, and found success almost instantaneously
Now it’s important to temper expectations. Gonzales is not Luka Doncic. Nor is he anywhere close to the caliber of player Luka was at Real Madrid.
While his scoring numbers seem low, it’s important to remember that he only played about 14 minutes per game. For the amount of time he got, his numbers are quite strong.
A look at his per-36 minutes stats shows that he would average 13.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists.
That would be a decent contribution that could allow Gonzales to settle into a role-player presence in the NBA. But he can still develop into a serious player if given the right circumstances to work under.
- University/Previous Team: Marquette
- Height (without shoes): 6’5
- Stats: 19.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 48.3% FG, 31.1% 3-PT
- Projected Draft Range: 30-37
Kam Jones’ numbers in his freshman year weren’t the best. A strong combo-guard, Jones averaged just over 19 points per game and just under 6 assists per game.
Much like Nique Clifford, Jones spent four years in college, and thus, his age makes him a less tantalizing prospect to invest in.
But his four years in college present an advantage to NBA teams looking to compete right now. Unlike rookies coming to the NBA after one or two years in college, Jones developed his game all four years.
He can come into a competitive team and contribute decently off the bench. For teams locked out due to the first or second apron, landing Jones with a second-round draft pick could be a great pick-up.
- University/Previous Team: Brisbane Bullets
- Height (without shoes): 7’4
- Stats: 4.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 0.3 assists, 50.0% FG, 20.0% 3-PT
- Projected Draft Range: 35-42
Rocco Zirkasky performed decently during his time playing in the NBL in Australia. Players who played in the Australian league, like LaMelo Ball, cited the physical toughness of the league as a key learning experience for the NBA.
The son of two German athletes, Zirkasky is an incredible physical specimen at 7’4. What makes him even more appealing is the fact that, as a big man, he can still move.
While his numbers don’t jump off the screen, Zirkasky’s field goal percentage shows that he is an efficient finisher at the rim. Add to that, he averaged 1 block per game last season, proving that he can be an effective rim protector.
A team like the Lakers, who are desperately lacking in size and depth at the center position, could land Zirkasky as a cheap and effective rotation piece at center, and he can develop his game to adapt to the NBA from there.
- University/Previous Team: Auburn
- Height (without shoes): 6’10
- Stats: 18.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 51.0% FG
- Projected Draft Range: 31-38
Johni Broome has been one of the best players in the NCAA circuit over the last few years. And in his senior year, he had his best season yet.
He averaged a double-double while also blocking 2.1 shots per game. This makes him a strong two-way option.
While his athleticism isn’t the best, Broome has one key advantage as a big man entering the NBA. The Auburn forward is actually quite a strong passer for his size.
Combine this with his rebounding ability, and Broome can help his team start fast breaks very easily after grabbing a board and releasing an outlet pass.
Don’t let the superstar potential of Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, and the other lottery picks make you forget that this is one of the most stacked draft classes in recent memory.
Many of the steals we’ve mentioned here did very well in our second-round mock draft. We expect these names to surprise a lot of fans.
However, there are plenty of avenues for teams to try and land a surprise pick in this year’s draft and develop them into a strong NBA presence for years to come.
With the NBA Draft just two weeks away, make sure you stay tuned to NBA Analysis Network, as we take an in-depth look at all the headlines heading into the big night in Brooklyn on June 25th.
